Structural Dependence of Creep/Fatigue Behaviour of Single Crystal Ni-base Superalloy

The effect of different initial microstructures deftned by γ' precipitate morphology has been investigated at the creep/fatigue conditions of 900℃ and 500 MPa. The wave form of stress as a function of time for cyclic load was of trapezoidal shape with a hold time of 10s at the upper stress level. The TEM was employed to examine the deformation process in strengthened γ' matrix in dependence of γ' precipitate morphology. The fracture lifetime and cycle number up to fracture were the criteria to evaluate the additional cyclic component efFect on the course of deformation

MC CARBIDE FLOATATION IN A HOT CORROSION RESISTANT SINGLE CRYSTAL Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY DURING DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION

The floating phenomenon of MC carbide(TiC)in a hot corrosion resistant single crystal Ni-base superalloy was observed during planar and cellular interface directional solidification.The explanation about the phenomenon is presented.

Effect of solidification rate on MC-type carbide morphology in single crystal Ni-base superalloy AM3

In order to study the effect of the withdrawing rate on carbide morphology,MC-type carbide in single crystal superalloy AM3 was systematically investigated with sample growth rates from 3.5 μm/s to 500 μm/s.The carbide morphologies were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and the electron probe microanalysis(EPMA) was used to characterize the carbide composition.The results indicate that the solidification rate is the important factor governing MC carbide growth morphology,size and distribution,composition and growth mechanism.With the increase of withdrawing rate,nodular,rod-like,Chinese script types of carbide morphology are observed.For the low withdrawing rate,with the increase of withdrawing rate,the carbide size becomes larger.For the case of dendritic interface,the carbide size becomes smaller with refinement of dendrites as withdrawing rate increases.The volume fraction of carbides increases with the withdrawing rate increasing.

TEM STUDY ON MICROSTRUCTURE OF LASERGLAZED SINGLE CRYSTAL Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY

The microstructure of a rapidly solidified single crystal Ni-base superalloy treated by laserglazing has been observed by TEM and STEM-EDAX techniques.Various morphologies of extraordinary flower-like MC carbide of TiC type were revealed in the nar- row interdendritic regions.While the superfine γ′ precipitate and higher density of dislocation were found in the γ matrix.

Temperature dependence of deformation mechanism in single crystal Ni-base superalloy

The tensile behavior of a new single crystal Ni-base superalloy was studied at various temperatures. Specimens were strained to fracture in the temperature range from 20℃ to 1000℃. σ0.2 is essentially unaffected by temperatures between 20℃ and 400℃. At higher temperatures it increases until it reaches a maximum at about 800℃. Beyond 800℃ a sharp decrease of strength is observed. There is a slight fluctuation in ductility between 20℃ and 800℃. The elongation to fracture increases from 10% to 36% as the temperature increases from 800℃ to 1000℃. The deformation is dominated by γ′ shearing and the high-density dislocations are observed in matrix channels at low temperatures. The dislocation microstructure is inhomogeneous due to the formation of dislocation concentrations with high-density tangling at intermediate temperatures. The networks deposited at the γ/γ′ interfaces prevent dislocations from entering the γ′ precipitates at high temperatures.

Oxidation behavior of 4774DD1 Ni-based single-crystal superalloy at 980℃ in air

The oxidation behavior of a novel Ni-based single-crystal 4774DD1 superalloy for industrial gas turbine applications was investigated by the isothermal oxidation at 980℃ and discontinuous oxidation weight gain methods.The phase constitution and morphology of surface oxides and the characteristics of the crosssection oxide film were analyzed by XRD,SEM and EDS.Results show that the oxidation kinetics of the 4774DD1 superalloy follows the cubic law,indicating its weak oxidation resistance at this temperature.As the oxidation time increases,the composition of the oxide film evolves as following:One layer consisting of a bottom Al_(2)O_(3)sublayer and an upper(Al_(2)O_(3)+NiO)mixture sublayer after oxidized for 25 h.Then,two layers composed of an outermost small NiO discontinuous grain layer and an internal layer for 75 h.This internal layer is consisted of the bottom Al_(2)O_(3)sublayer,an intermediate narrow CrTaO_(4)sublayer,and an upper(Al_(2)O_(3)+NiO)mixture sublayer.Also two layers comprising an outermost relative continuous NiO layer with large grain size and an internal layer as the oxidation time increases to 125 h.This internal layer is composed of the upper(Al_(2)O_(3)+NiO)mixture sublayer,an intermediate continuous(CrTaO_(4)+NiWO_(4))mixture sublayer,and a bottom Al_(2)O_(3)sublayer.Finally,three layers consisting of an outermost(NiAl2O_(4)+NiCr2O_(4))mixture layer,an intermediate(CrTaO_(4)+NiWO_(4))mixture layer,and a bottom Al_(2)O_(3)layer for 200 h.

Effect of Solidification Parameters on the Microstructure and Creep Property of a Single Crystal Ni-base Superalloy

A single crystal Ni-base superalloy was processed with withdrawal rates between 2 and 7 mm/min.The ascast microstructures,heat treatment response and creep property have been characterized as a function of the withdrawal rate.As expected,the primary and secondary dendrite arm spacing decreased with increasing withdrawal rate; microsegregation degree and porosity distribution were also varied with different withdrawal rates.The withdrawal rate of 2 mm/min resulted in a noticeable residual microsegregation even after full heat treatment.The samples solidified at 7 mm/min exhibited a high density of cast porosities,and this led to a dramatical decline of the creep strain.4 or 6 mm/min appeared to be the optimum withdrawal rate in the present study,which resulted in a uniform microstructure and an optimum density of cast porosity.

Effect of solidification parameters on the microstructures of a single crystal Ni-based superalloy AM3

A single crystal Ni-based superalloy AM3 was processed at withdraw rates of 3.5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 μm·s-1, respectively.The as-cast microstructures and solidification segregation ratio were characterized with various withdraw rates.The shape and size of carbide microstructures were determined.As expected, the primary and secondary dendrite arm spacings (PDAS and SDAS) decrease with the increase of withdraw rate.The highest volume fraction of eutectic γ/γ' is observed at the 100 μm·s-1 withdraw rate.The volume fraction of eutectic γ/γ' does not appear to be a strong function of the withdraw rate.With increasing withdraw rate, interface morphologies change in the sequence of planar, cellular, and dendrite.There is a general refinement of the microstructure as the withdraw rate increases.EPMA analysis showed that withdraw rate does not have obvious influence on the segregation of elements.

An anisotropic micromechanics model for predicting the rafting direction in Ni-based single crystal superalloys

An anisotropic micromechanics model based on the equivalent inclusion method is developed to investigate the rafting direction of Ni-based single crystal superalloys. The micromechanical model considers actual cubic structure and orthogonal anisotropy properties. The von Mises stress, elastic strain energy density, and hydrostatic pressure in dif- ferent inclusions of micromechanical model are calculated when applying a tensile or compressive loading along the [001] direction. The calculated results can successfully pre- dict the rafting direction for alloys exhibiting a positive or a negative mismatch, which are in agreement with pervious experimental and theoretical studies. Moreover, the elastic constant differences and mismatch degree of the matrix and precipitate phases and their influences on the rafting direction are carefully discussed.

Simulation of stray grain formation at the platform during Ni-base single crystal superalloy DD403 casting

The mechanism of stray grain formation at the platform of turbine blade simulator and the effect of withdrawal rate(V) on the stray grain phenomenon have been investigated using a macro-scale Pro CAST coupled with a 3D Cellular Automaton Finite Element(CAFE) model. The results indicate that the stray grains nucleate at the edges of platform at V =150 μm·s^(-1) and 200 μm·s^(-1). Using Pro CAST computer simulation software, it was proven that the stray grain formation is signifi cantly dependent on the undercooling and the temperature fi eld distribution in the platform. The macroscopic curvature of the liquidus isotherm becomes markedly concave with an increase in the withdrawal rate. The probability of stray grain formation at the edges of platform can be increased by increasing the withdrawal rate in the range of 70 μm·s^(-1) to 200 μm·s^(-1).

MICROMECHANICS OF THE DAMAGE-INDUCED CELLULAR MICROSTRUCTURE IN SINGLE CRYSTAL Ni-BASED SUPERALLOYS

An analytical method to investigate the morphological evolution of the cellular mi-crostructure is explored and proposed. The method is essentially based on the Es-helby 's micromechanics theory, and it is extended so as to be applied for a material system containing inclusions with high volume fraction, by employing the average stress field approximation by Mori and Tanaka. The proposed method enables us to discuss a stable shape of precipitate in the material system, which must be influenced by many factors: e.g., volume fraction of precipitate; Young's modulus ratio and lattice misfit between matrix and precipitate; external stress field in multiaxial state; and heterogeneity of plastic strain between matrix and precipitate. A series of numerical calculations were summarized on stable shape maps. The application of the method to predict the γ' rafting in superalloys during creep showed that the heterogeneity of plastic strain between matrix and precipitates may play a significant role in the shape stability of the precipitate. Furthermore, it was shown that the method was successfully applied to estimate the morphology of the cellular microstructure formed in CMSX-4 single crystal Ni-based superalloy.

Evolution of interfacial dislocation networks during long term thermal aging in Ni-based single crystal superalloy DD5

Interfacial dislocations found in single crystal superalloys after long term thermal aging have an important effect on mechanical properties. Long term thermal aging tests for DD5 single crystal superalloy were carried out at 1,100 ℃ for 20, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 h, and then cooled by air. The effect of long term thermal aging on the dislocation networks at the γ/γ' interfaces was investigated by FE-SEM. Results showed that during the long term thermal aging at 1,100 ℃, misfit dislocations formed firstly and then reorientation in the(001) interfacial planes occurred. Different types of square or rectangular dislocation network form by dislocation reaction. Square dislocation networks consisting of four groups of dislocations can transform into octagonal dislocation networks, and then form another square dislocation network by dislocation reaction. Rectangular dislocation networks can also transform into hexagonal dislocation networks. The interfacial dislocation networks promote the γ' phase rafting process. The dislocation networks spacings become smaller and smaller, leading to the effective lattice misfit increasing from-0.10% to-0.32%.

Effect of carbon additions on the microstructure of a single crystal Ni-based superalloy AM3

The microstructure of experimental nickel-base single crystal superalloys with different levels of carbon has been studied. The results indicated that with increasing carbon addition, the liquidus temperature decreased obviously and the as-cast microstructures exhibited a decrease in the amount of γ/γ′ eutectic structure and an increase in the volume fraction of carbides. The carbides formed in these alloys were most script-type MC carbides which appeared continuous dendritic networks in the interdendritic region. The segregation behavior of element W was influenced by the carbon addition.

Molecular dynamics study of mosaic structure in the Ni-based single-crystal superalloy

The mosaic structure in a Ni-based single-crystal superalloy is simulated by molecular dynamics using a potential employed in a modified analytic embedded atom method. From the calculated results we find that a closed threedimensional misfit dislocation network, with index of （011）{100} and the side length of the mesh 89.6A, is formed around a cuboidal γ′ precipitate. Comparing the simulation results of the different mosaic models, we find that the side length of the mesh only depends on the lattice parameters of the γ and γ′ phases as well as the γ/γ′ interface direction, but is independent of the size and number of the cuboidal γ′ precipitate. The density of dislocations is inversely proportional to the size of the cuboidal γ′ precipitate, i.e. the amount of the dislocation is proportional to the total area of the γ/γ′ interface, which may be used to explain the relation between the amount of the fine γ′ particles and the creep rupture life of the superalloy. In addition, the closed three-dimensional networks assembled with the misfit dislocations can play a significant role in improving the mechanical properties of superalloys.

The ternary Ni–Al–Co embedded-atom-method potential for γ/γ Ni-based single-crystal superalloys: Construction and application

An Ni-AI-Co system embedded-atom-method potential is constructed for the γ（Ni）/γ＇（Ni3A1） superalloy based on experiments and first-principles calculations. The stacking fault energies （SFEs） of the Ni（Co, A1） random solid solutions are calculated as a function of the concentrations of Co and A1. The calculated SFEs decrease with increasing concentrations of Co and A1, which is consistent with the experimental results. The embedding energy term in the present potential has an important influence on the SFEs of the random solid solutions. The cross-slip processes of a screw dislocation in homogenous Ni（Co） solid solutions are simulated using the present potential and the nudged elastic band method. The cross-slip activation energies increase with increasing Co concentration, which implies that the creep resistance of γ（Ni） may be improved by the addition of Co.

Effect of surface recrystallization on the creep rupture property of a single-crystal superalloy

The effect of surface recrystallization by heating after shot-peening on the creep rapture property and fracture behavior of a single-crystal superalloy was investigated. The results show that the creep rupture property of the single-crystal superalloy was greatly influenced by surface recrystallization. A recrystallized surface layer with a depth of 101 ~m resulted in a decrease in creep rupture life by nearly 50%, and an almost linear reduction of creep rupture life was observed with the increase of recrystallization depth. A lower strength of the recrystal- lized layer, inhomogeneous deformation between the recrystallized layer and the matrix, and stress concentration caused by notch effect resuited in the decrease in creep rupture life of the single-crystal superalloy.

Surface recrystallization of a single crystal nickel-base superalloy

The recrystallization behavior of a single crystal nickel-base superalloy was investigated by shot peening and subsequent annealing. Two kinds of recrystallization microstructures, which are intensively dependent on the annealing temperature, are shown in the nickel-base superalloy after shot peening and subsequent annealing. Surface recrystallized grains are obtained when the superalloy is annealed at solution treatment temperature. The nucleation of recrystallization originates from the dendritic core, where rapid dissolution of γ＇ particles occurs. Cellular recrystallization is observed after annealing at lower temperatures. Cellular structures induced by high diffusivity of the moving boundary and more γ＇ particles dissolution led by residual stress are developed from the surface region. Recrystallized kinetics of the shot-peened alloy annealed at 1050°C accords with the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov equation. The low Avrami exponent is caused by the inhomogeneous distribution of stored energy, the decreasing of stored energy during recovery, and the strong resistance of boundary migration by γ＇ particles.

Effects of Ru on the microstructure and phase stability of a single crystal superalloy

Two experimental single crystal superalloys, the Ru-free alloy and the Ru-containing alloy with [001 ] orientation, were cast in a directionally solidified furnace, while other alloying element contents were kept unchanged. The effects of Ru on the microstructure and phase stability of the single crystal superalloy were investigated, y＇ directional coarsening and rafting were observed in the Ru-free alloy and Ru-containing alloy after long-term aging at 1070~C for 800 h. Needle-shaped o topologically close packed （TCP） phases precipitated and grew along the fixed direction in both the alloys. The precipitating rate and volume fraction of TCP phases decreased significantly by adding Ru. The compositions ofy and y＇ phases measured using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope （EDS） in transmission electron microscopy （TEM） analysis showed that the addition of Ru lessened the partition ratio of TCP forming elements, Re, W and Mo, and decreased the satu- ration degrees of these elements in y phase, which can enable the Ru-containing alloy to be more resistant to the formation of TCP phases. It is indicated that the addition of Ru to the Ni-based single crystal superalloy with high content of the refractory alloying element can enhance phase stability.

Effect of long-term thermal exposure on microstructure and creep properties of DD5 single crystal superalloy

The effect of thermal exposure on the microstructure and creep properties of the Ni-based single crystal superalloy in different test conditions was studied.Long-term exposure was performed at 1,000 ℃ and 1,100 ℃ for 500 h prior to the creep tests.The creep lifetime is found to be improved after the long-term exposure at 1,000 ℃ for 500 h as a result of the formation of secondary M_(23)C_(6) in the interdendritic region.The coarsening of γ’ precipitates accompanied by the formation of TCP phase lead to the degradation of alloy,which is responsible for the reduction of the creep lifetime of Ni-base single crystal superalloy after long-term exposure at 1,100 ℃ for 500 h.The creep lifetime of 1,000 oC thermally exposed sample under the conditions of 1,093 ℃/137 MPa is lower than that of heat-treated state.Thermal exposure at 1,100 ℃ for 500 h causes the creep lifetime to drop drastically.